Sesame Street Stays Up Late!

Sesame Street Stays Up Late! is a 1993New Year's Eve special with guest appearances by characters from some of the international versions of Sesame Street. The special was first broadcast on December 29, 1993[1] with the subtitle A Monster New Year's Eve Party.

Meanwhile, Elmo is the host of the Monster News Network, showing how New Year's Eve is celebrated around the world. This is done by showing segments created by the Sesame characters from the different co-productions around the world.

As the new year draws closer, nearly everyone stands around the corner awaiting the countdown. Earlier, Big Bird comes up with the idea of tossing a beach ball into the air, just like in Times Square. So they have Wolfgang the Seal balance the beach ball on his nose for the event. Once the countdown reaches zero, Wolfgang the Seal removes the beach ball in slow motion. After the ball falls to the ground, the citizens cheer and sing "Faces That I Love".

After the credits roll, everyone wishes the viewers "Happy New Year!" and continue to celebrate (even Slimey, much to Oscar's chagrin). The words "THE END" then appear onscreen and Cookie Monster eats one of the letters, exclaiming "Me love credits!"

Big Bird and friends have a New Year's party.

Rosita and Pepe report from Mexico.

Wolfgang prepares the ball drop.

Telly declares Sesame Street a "no-party zone."

Grover delivers traditions from all over the globe.

Elmo-noske pounds the rice.

Cookie Monster gives a scientific report on night and day.

Moishe hosts a report on Rosh Hashanah.

The Sesamstrasse gang collects New Year's treats.

Telly tries to hide from the New Year.

The ski report from Norway ends in disaster.

Everyone ushers in the new year with a song.

Notes

This special also features one of the first new appearances of Ernie since Jim Henson's death. Steve Whitmire took over as his performer, doing the character's voice for the first time for a TV special.

Video and DVD Releases

The special was released on home video as Sesame Street Celebrates Around the World. It was also adapted into book form.